23 May,2011 07:38 AM IST | | Astha Saxena
Despite the realtively pleasant weather during the weekend, the summer seems to be taking its toll on Delhiites as complaints of severe headache, high fever, vomiting and dehydration have started flooding city's hospitals.
The Out Patient Departments (OPD) of major hospitals are getting large number of patients who are suffering from typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice which the doctors say are getting aggravated due to heat. 20-30 cases a day "We are getting several patients in the OPD everyday who are suffering from headache, high fever, vomiting and dehydration problems. Also, 20- 30 cases of diarrhoea and three to five cases of jaundice are reported on daily basis," said Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, Head of Department, Internal Medicine at Max Healthcare.
The scene is similar in other hospitals too. "Four to five people come to our OPD daily complaining of high fever, headache and vomiting due to the heat," said Dr Viver Nangia, Head of Department, Infectious and Pulmonary Disease, Fortis Healthcare.
The high temperatures have left a lot of Delhiites high and dry as they are forced to stay indoors to avoid heat strokes. "It's unbelievably hot during the day. So we are forced to stay indoors to avoid heat strokes. There is no shopping, no outing. Summer is so dull," said Anjana Basao, a first year Delhi University student.
Forced indoors
"This time, the temperature is really getting on the nerves. The feeling is so bad. I have not been able to go to work for last four days due to vomiting and high fever," said Vipul Gupta, a resident of East Delhi. Doctors suggest that it is better to stay away from the spicy and junk food as they can prove harmful in this heat.
"People should also wear loose clothes and have lots of fruits and vegetables," added Dr Nangia. The doctors also suggested to beware of insect bites. In case you are bitten or stung, don't scratch as it leads to infection. Aspirin, antihistamines, calamine lotion and application of an icepack all help, they suggest.
